Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will take over the reins as the captain of the Indian team for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka starting on July 27. However, one of the key players from India's recent T20 World Cup triumph will be opting out of the subsequent three-match ODI series in August due to personal reasons.
As per a senior source within the BCCI who spoke to PTI on the condition of anonymity, Hardik Pandya, who was previously the vice-captain in the T20 format under Rohit Sharma, is fully fit and ready to lead the team in the T20Is.
The T20 matches are scheduled to take place from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele, followed by the ODIs from August 2 to 7 in Colombo. The squad for the series is expected to be finalized and announced shortly.
While the deputy captain for Pandya is yet to be confirmed, potential candidates include Shubman Gill, who recently led India to victory against Zimbabwe, and Suryakumar Yadav, who captained the team in T20Is against South Africa last year.
Regarding the ODI series, Pandya has requested time off for personal reasons and has already informed regular captain Rohit Sharma, who is also opting out of the series.
"The break from ODIs is for very personal reasons. Hardik doesn't have any fitness issue as is being floated in the media," the official said.